Effect of the Aqueous and Hydro-Alcoholic Extracts of Viola odorata L. on Biochemical and Histologic Liver Parameters in Diabetic Wistar Rats

The liver, as an insulin target organ, undergoes numerous pathological changes in diabetes patients. This study investigated the effect of the aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of violets on histologic changes and biochemical parameters of the liver in diabetic adult Wistar rats.

In total, 64 rats were examined in 8 groups of 8 rats (1 control group and 7 diabetic groups treated by streptozotocin). The rats were treated in 6 diabetic groups by different concentrations of the aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of violets (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). Biochemical tests were performed to evaluate the liver enzymes, glucose, and serum albumin using the photometric method on the blood of rats. Furthermore, Hematoxylin and Eosin (H & E) and Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stains were performed to investigate the number of Kupffer cells, hyper eosinophilia, inflammation, congestion, changes in the perimeter and the central vein area, and glycogenic deposits from the liver tissue of rats. 

The obtained results suggested a decrease of Kupffer cells in the concentration of 100 in extracts. Moreover, inflammatory accumulations decreased in the concentrations of 100 and 400 in the aqueous extract. In addition, a decrease of congestion in the concentrations of 400 in the aqueous extract and the concentrations of 100 and 200 in the hydro-alcoholic extract; a decrease of AST and ALT of serum in the concentrations of 100 and 400 in the aqueous extract; and a decrease of glucose in the concentrations of 100, 200, and 400 in the hydro-alcoholic extract and the concentration of 400 in the aqueous extracts were observed.

The prescription of the extracts of violets can improve the liver tissue in terms of Kupffer cell count, inflammation, and congestion. Furthermore, they reduced AST and ALT enzyme levels and serum glucose levels in diabetic rats.